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(Persons with
Health-Related Problems)
TOP TIPS
- Broward County
operates a Special Needs Shelter Program for qualified residents in
an evacuation area in the event of a hurricane.
- Special needs
residents are defined as persons with health-related problems who do
not qualify for admission to a public shelter operated by the
American Red Cross due to the nature of their health care needs.
- If you feel you
qualify for a special needs shelter, YOU ARE STRONGLY
ENCOURAGED TO REGISTER IN ADVANCE, BEFORE A STORM THREAT.
Residents should allow 3-4 weeks for processing and receipt of
confirmation letter. Resident's primary physician is required to
complete a portion of the form. See Appendix S-2
(Tab 5, Evacuations, white pages) for a sample of the Evacuation
Transportation Assistance for frail, elderly and disabled Citizens
form. Advance registration is also required for transportation to
the Special Needs Shelter. To register for a Special Needs shelter
and/or transportation to the shelter, call Broward County Elderly
and Veterans Services Division at 954-537-2888 or
T T Y 954-537-2882 .
- If the Hurricane
Hotline has already been activated in response to a storm threat, it
is TOO LATE to register for a special needs shelter. Call a family
member, friend, physician, or as a last resort, hospital.
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SPECIAL
NEEDS SHELTER SERVICES |
| Special Needs
shelters CAN accommodate: |
- Persons who need assistance
administering their own medication injections. You must bring
all medications with you to the shelter.
- Persons who need assistance
with ostomy management and catheters.
- Persons with minimal
restrictions with daily living activities, including only
minimal or no supervision from medical personnel.
- Persons who require minimal
monitoring of an unstable medical condition.
- Persons who need intermittent
oxygen.
- Persons who are incontinent
because of medical conditions and are accompanied by a
caregiver.
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| Special Needs
Shelters CANNOT accommodate: |
- Persons in a wheelchair who
cannot transfer to a bed or toilet without assistance.
- Persons who require 24-hour
electrical power for their treatment modality.
- Persons who are incontinent
and not accompanied by a caregiver.
- Persons who have advanced
Alzheimer's disease.
- Persons who need
air-conditioning 24-hours a day.
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| What to Bring
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Evacuees should
bring with them what they require to secure their comfort:
- Pillow and blanket (cots are
provided in special needs shelters)
- At least a three-day supply of
medical supplies and medications
- Personal items (change of
clothing, extra pair of eyeglasses, etc.)
- Non-perishable snack foods
- NO PETS are
permitted in the shelter, with the exception of service animals
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TIPS FOR
PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
People with
disabilities have the same choices as other residents about whether to
evacuate their homes and where to go when an emergency threatens.
Listen to the advice of local officials. Decide whether it is better
to leave the area, stay with a friend or go to a public shelter. Each
of these decisions requires planning and preparation.
Persons Requiring
Oxygen |
Persons who need
oxygen intermittently will be accommodated at Red Cross and
Special Needs shelters, but they must bring a full, portable
oxygen unit. Persons who require continuous oxygen therapy will
not be accepted at Red Cross or Special Needs shelters. |
Dialysis
Patients |
Dialysis patients
should contact their doctor or dialysis center immediately to make
arrangements for dialysis and to formulate a care plan in the
event of an extended power outage. |
Persons
with
Speech, Language
or Hearing Disabilities |
- For life threatening
emergencies, call 9-1-1.
- When you dial 9-1-1, tap space
bar to indicate TTY call.
- Store a writing pad and
pencils to communicate with others.
- Keep a flashlight handy to
signal whereabouts to other people and for illumination to aid
in communication.
- Remind friends that you cannot
completely hear warnings or emergency instructions. Ask them to
be your source of emergency information as it comes over their
radio.
- If you own a service animal,
be aware that the animal may become confused or disoriented in
an emergency. Store extra food, water and supplies for the
animal in addition to yourself.
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| Storm Preparation
Tips |
- Check for hazards in the home.
During and right after a disaster, ordinary items in the home
can cause injury or damage. Anything that can move, fall, break
or cause fire is a home hazard. Check for items such as
bookcases, hanging pictures, or overhead lights that could fall
and block an escape path.
- Create a self-help network of
relatives, friends or coworkers to assist in an emergency. For
example, if you need help moving or require special arrangements
to receive emergency messages, make a plan with friends. Give a
key to neighbor or friend who may be able to assist you in a
disaster.
- Be ready to evacuate. Have a
plan for getting out of your home or building. Ask family or
friends for assistance, if necessary.
- Plan two evacuation routes.
Some roads may be closed or blocked in a disaster.
- Have disaster supplies on hand
(see
Hurricane Preparedness). Make sure your self-help network
knows where you keep your emergency supplies.
- List the names, address and
telephone numbers of doctors and pharmacists and detailed
information about your medication regime. Store the list with
your emergency supplies, and give a copy to another family
member, friend or neighbor.
- Know the location and
availability of more than one facility if you are dependent on a
dialysis machine or other life-sustaining equipment or
treatment.
- Wear medical alert tags or
bracelets to identify your disability in case of an emergency.
- If you use a wheelchair, show
friends how to operate your wheelchair so they can move you if
necessary. Make sure your friends know the size of your
wheelchair in case it has to be transported.
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| During the Storm |
- Listen constantly to the radio
and/or television for hurricane advisories.
- Do not stay alone during the
storm. Have someone stay with you, or ask someone to check on
you periodically.
- Stay calm since emotional
stress increases your heart rate, quickens breathing, makes
breathing more difficult and demands more oxygen from the body.
- Avoid the use of candles or
lanterns. If they must be used, keep them at least 10 feet away
from your oxygen source.
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